New measures to be in place for North Yorkshire XL Bully owners
The dogs must be on a lead and muzzled in public
Owners of American XL Bully dog in North Yorkshire must keep their pets on a lead and muzzled when they are out and about.
Breeding, selling, advertising, rehoming, abandoning and allowing one of the dogs to stray has also become illegal in England and Wales.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the restrictions on XL bullies earlier this year after branding the breed a "danger to communities" following a string of attacks on humans - including some that were fatal.
A complete ban on people owning XL bullies will come into force on 1 February 2024 - unless the owner applies before the end of January for an exemption which would allow them to keep their pet.
An exemption certificate can only be obtained if a household agrees to comply with a strict set of rules, including having the animals microchipped.
The dogs will also need to be neutered by 30 June, unless they are under one year old.
Danielle Sherriff is from the Blue Cross in Thirsk and has this reassurance for owners who now need their dog to wear a muzzle: "It doesn't have have to be a negative thing for your pet."
"We really focus on muzzle training at the Blue Cross with certain dogs that need that kind of training implementing, and they do the happily put their muzzle on, it's a positive part of their walk.
"It doesn't impact them, it doesn’t hinder them in anyway they can still smell, they can still explore and they can still pant and they can still express themselves, naturally. It’s also about what type of muzzle you use so it's important to get one that fits properly."